PERIODONTAL TREATMENT

Treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. The least invasive treatment is always the first step.

A prophylactic cleaning (prophy) is recommended for the treatment of gingivitis or the maintenance of healthy gums.

A debridement may be necessary to remove heavy plaque and calculus from your teeth for either or both of these reasons:

  • The presence of debris and calculus makes it impossible to complete your comprehensive exam.
  • The removal of debris and calculus, followed by a period of improved home care is needed to evaluate your tissue response and accurately diagnose your periodontal condition.

A debridement is followed by an appointment the effect of debris removal and determine further need for treatment.

Scaling and root planing (SRP) is the first line of treatment for periodontitis. This procedure removes plaque and calculus deposits, and smooths the root surfaces of your teeth. The removal of these toxins helps the gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. The planing of the root surfaces helps prevent new plaque and calculus from sticking. Local anesthetic may be given to make you comfortable during the procedure.

SRP is followed by an appointment to evaluate the effect of the SRP determine further need for treatment.

When this treatment is performed, your dentist will recommend 3 or 4 hygiene visits per year to maintain the cleanliness of your periodontal pockets.

Laser Bacterial Reduction Therapy

For patients who are maintaining healthy gums and especially those who have uncontrolled periodontal disease, we offer Lase Bacterial Reduction (LBR). LBR is performed with a diode laser without the need for local anesthetic and often in conjunction with regular hygiene visits. The goal of this treatment is the reduction in number of virulent pathogens in the gum tissues that cause inflammation and bleeding. During a regular hygiene prophylactic or periodontal maintenance visit, a hygienist manually cleans these areas. However, only the laser energy can penetrate the soft tissues to reach the pathogens they harbor inside. After LBR of all your gums has been completed, a laser curettage of the most inflamed areas is performed. The result is immediate. We see tighter, healthier looking gums before you leave. There is no discomfort associated with this procedure and we recommended it for all patients at every hygiene visit.

Minimally Invasive REPaiR Procedure

The REPaiR protocol is a new way to treat gum disease using laser technology. With this minimally-invasive approach we can preserve tissue and bone without the need for more extensive periodontal surgery.

REPaiR offers significant advantages including a better patient experience and faster healing. Patients treated with laser energy simply recover more quickly. The Erbium laser is used in this procedure to perform incisions precisely and disinfect the operative site as it works, to help you heal faster.

REPaiR therapy is indicated for patients who have completed but not responded to phase I treatment. Phase I involves the removal of biofilm and calculus from areas above and below your gums through scaling and root planing. This is generally performed by your hygienist.

REPaiR is performed under local anesthesia. The goal is to remove calculus and biofilm from areas deep below the gingiva and near the bone, remove infected tissue from inside the gums, and remove excess tissue that causes deep un-cleansable pseudo-pockets around your teeth, and to promote the healthy reattachment of gum tissue to your teeth, reducing the depth of periodontal pockets.

Periodontal surgery is necessary when the depth of pockets and shape of the supporting bone structure make it difficult to completely remove plaque and calculus. When calculus remains, your pockets will not heal after SRP and the disease will continue to progress. A periodontist performs periodontal surgery to visualize hard-to-reach areas and remove the calculus. Additionally, the surgeon will recontour supporting bone structure and reshape gums to facilitate easier home care and maintenance.

For More Information About Periodontal Treatment…

520.290.8900

1101 N Wilmot Rd #115

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